Risk of astronomical suffering

Risks of astronomical suffering, also called suffering risks or s-risks, are risks involving much more <a href="/facts/Suffering/gDdgz4lj">suffering</a> than all that has occurred on Earth so far. They are sometimes categorized as a subclass of <a href="/facts/Global_catastrophic_risk/P74aJr4H">existential risks</a>.
According to some scholars, s-risks warrant serious consideration as they are not extremely unlikely and can arise from unforeseen scenarios. Although they may appear speculative, factors such as technological advancement, power dynamics, and historical precedents indicate that advanced technology could inadvertently result in substantial suffering. Thus, s-risks are considered to be a morally urgent matter, despite the possibility of technological benefits.
Sources of possible s-risks include embodied <a href="/facts/Artificial_intelligence/lJGauQwX">artificial intelligence</a> and <a href="/facts/Superintelligence/VL1NaEPS">superintelligence</a>, as well as <a href="/facts/Space_colonization/3xUDzls1">space colonization</a>, which could potentially lead to "constant and catastrophic wars" and an immense increase in <a href="/facts/Wild_animal_suffering/auh3I7Ys">wild animal suffering</a> by introducing wild animals, who "generally lead short, miserable lives full of sometimes the most brutal suffering", to other planets, either intentionally or inadvertently.

Risk of astronomical suffering open-in-new

Risk of astronomical suffering